Humility is a core virtue for Christians, and many of the saints as well as Franciscans practice it as the foundation of all other virtues.
Humility is the quality of having a modest view of your own importance. While this sounds simple enough, it is anything but! As sinful creatures, we are prone to egotism, competitiveness, and accumulation. Some argue that humans are “hard wired” for arrogance and selfishness – whether that is true or not, our earthly experience can certainly make it a challenge to be otherwise.
Yet, humility is not about devaluing our gifts or putting ourselves down. Rather, it is about recognizing our strengths and putting those to unselfish uses.
Legacy Giving – leaving a charitable gift in your Will – provides a good example of how humility can function. Most who choose this path are not motivated by recognition or tax benefits, but rather by the desire to make a lasting impact. Most legacy gifts are not grand public affairs but, much like the practices of St. Francis himself, they are quiet acts of deep meaning. Leaving a legacy gift acknowledges that, while we won’t live forever, we can choose to shape a better world for those who come after us.
Legacy Giving is not a competition. One does not need to be wealthy to leave such a gift. The intention to give without receiving matters far more than the size of the gift given. No gift given with humility is too small in God’s eyes.
Legacy gifts and other donations to Franciscan Mission Associates (FMA) ensure that our work in education, healthcare, and spiritual care continues to grow. Together, we can create lasting change for future generations in need.
